Free Dental Screening Clinic for Seniors on October 21st

Walpole -- A free dental screening clinic for senior citizens will be held in Walpole on Saturday, October 21st from 8:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Walpole Council on Aging, 135 School Street in Walpole. To schedule your free appointment at the screening, call the Walpole Council on Aging at (508) 668-3330. Appointments are open to any older adult, age 60 or over, from any town.

At the free screening clinic, participants will receive a dental screening exam and an oral cancer screening and will also have the opportunity to discuss the findings with the dentist in the clinic’s informal, friendly setting. Dentists, including Dr. Mark Stone, have volunteered to examine patients for problems with their teeth, gums, and dentures. Specialty dentists will screen participants for oral cancer. Participants have the opportunity to receive free denture cleaning and labeling, performed by students from the Massasoit Community College’s Dental Assisting program, under the supervision of their faculty.

A nutritionist from HESSCO will be available to discuss the role of nutrition in oral health and will give advice on food choices to those experiencing chewing problems, dry mouth, medication interactions, and other concerns. HESSCO elder services’ SHINE counselor will provide information about health insurance, assistance, and counseling about public benefit programs.

Students will be on hand to offer tips and answer questions about good oral hygiene. Students from Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School’s dental assisting program will also be on hand to assist participants. All students are under the supervision of their teachers as they participate in the screening clinic.

“More than three-quarters of older adults in Massachusetts don’t have dental insurance,” explains Dr. Mark Stone, a Norwood dentist and committee founder. “Many of the seniors who attended our free screening clinics haven’t been to a dentist in a while, so they have concerns they want to discuss. At the screening clinics we take time to talk with them and answer their questions”

It is the mission of the Elder Dental Program to advocate for better access to oral health prevention and education for seniors. Studies have shown that lack of oral health care can lead to serious overall health care risks. According to the CDC, recent studies link oral infections with diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Most oral diseases are preventable. During the screening which is open to any older adult from any town, participants can also learn more about the Elder Dental Program, which helps low income seniors to access local dental services provided at reduced fees based on a sliding scale.

The free dental screening clinic is organized by the Elder Dental Program, a project of Community VNA. Funding is provided in part by grants from Fallon Health, CHNA 7 MetroWest, Bank of Canton, Walpole Cooperative Bank, HarborOne, and Massachusetts Medical Society and Alliance Charitable Foundation.